Latest in Politics, Public Affairs, & Personalities

We're so predictable. Year in and year out, we grumble about City Council member John, State Senator Doe, and all our other elected officials, vowing to vote them all out next time. But when next time comes, what do we do? More often than not, we vote the same old folks right back into office. You'd think we were brain-dead zombies or something. That said, there are some good eggs out there, real servants to the community. If you're interested in learning who Charleston City Paper readers chose as their favorite politicians and civic-minded folks, read on.

Thomas Ravenel's After-Parties

An Al Parish Yard Gnome

Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas

Ron Paul at The Omar Shrine Auditorium

Owner and local attorney Mark Mason had hoped to build a 24-unit condominium complex at his OK Tire property, accompanied by 24 boat slips on Shem Creek. To ease approval, he proposed granting public access to the creek, with a park and boardwalk connecting hammock islands to Coleman Boulevard. With its own vision for a park, Mt. Pleasant Town Council turned him down. When he scoffed at their offer of $2,285,000 for the land, the town smacked him with the power of eminent domain and a condemnation order last October. With the looming threat of counter litigation, Mt. Pleasant finally decided to offer $6 million for the property as well as nearby docks and marshland, which was accepted, and the story came to a relatively happy ending in December.